Nectarine tree named ‘CAKELOVE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, denominated ‘CAKELOVE’, has flat fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly pink pigmentation, and an attractive luminous purple red blush, with a red background. Fruits can be consumed crunchy or melting.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica L. Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘CAKELOVE’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2011/0562 filed on Mar. 2, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, Prunus persica L. Batsch, which has been given the variety denomination ‘CAKELOVE’. This new tree produces fruit with a long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growth completion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstone white flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘Cakepearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,356), a white flat nectarine variety and to ‘Cakeredal’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,358) a white flat nectarine tree, and to its parents, ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree and ‘Flatnice’ (non patented) white flat peach tree, for reliable description. ‘CAKELOVE’ is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf life without alteration before after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘CAKELOVE’ white flat nectarine tree originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on the Mediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry. The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between 600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hours of sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called ‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but its intensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/or quality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations are irregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount of rainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found in Spring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitations occasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘CAKELOVE’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the ‘Nectarmagie’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,579) white nectarine tree, which was used as the seed parent, and the ‘Flatnice’ (non patented) white flat peach tree, which was used as the pollen parent. ‘CAKELOVE’ was provisionally designated, tested and genetically identified by a genetic profile, under number 4S.3E.168 NBPL ASF 0775 and was registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic on Nov. 23, 2010 under number 4047123. The ‘CAKELOVE’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated by grafting on a ‘INRA GF 677’ (non-patented) rootstock. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of the standard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, La Prade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. More particularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree blooms at the end of February or early in March in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it blooms between February 22^(th) and March 16^(th), generally together with ‘Cakepearl’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 13/064,026).

The first fruit of ‘CAKELOVE’ nectarine tree ripens in July, generally about 5 days earlier than ‘Cakeredal’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,358) and about 5 days later than ‘Cakepearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,356). More particularly, ‘CAKELOVE’ variety approximately ripens between June 30^(th) and July 19^(th). However, it was observed that its early date of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph, which shows a view of a tree of the new variety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph, which shows two whole fruits and leaves of the new variety, and a third fruit, cut in half with the stone left in one of the halves for depicting the fruit flesh and the stone of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph with reverse and side views of flowers of the new variety, and, with petals removed, reproductive organs of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph, which shows different views of the stone.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by ‘CAKELOVE’ is high, due to fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are vigorous and large stature half-standing in a semi-spread to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration of flowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. The time of beginning of flowering is considered medium; flowering begins at the end of February or during March. The type of flower is showy with large petal size. Petals are medium pink. Leaf glands are present and round. The fruit flesh is considered white with a slightly pink pigmentation under the skin and into the stone cavity. The fruit skin is thick and colored with a homogenous purple red blush on a red background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is adherent to semi-adherent depending on the fruit maturity. Fruit taste is semi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘Cakepearl’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,356) white flat nectarine tree, ‘CAKELOVE’ variety has approximately the same time of blooming but ripens approximately 5 days later than ‘Cakepearl’, as set forth above. ‘CAKELOVE’ and ‘Cakepearl’ varieties are considered resistant to critical frosty weather. Both varieties produce an important amount of showy flowers and have a very high rate of fruit set. Such as ‘Cakepearl’ fruits, ‘CAKELOVE’ fruits have a good and homogenous presentation, round and regular shaped, with a closed pistil cavity, and without any cork formation. ‘CAKELOVE’ fruits are colored with a luminous red on the whole fruit skin.

Compared to ‘Cakeredal’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,358) white flat nectarine tree, ‘CAKELOVE’ variety ripens approximately 5 days earlier. ‘CAKELOVE’ fruits show a size slightly smaller than ‘Cakeredal’ fruits.

The new variety female parent, which is ‘Nectarmagie (U.S. Plant Patent No. 17,579), produces white nectarines. ‘Nectarmagie’ and ‘CAKELOVE’ have approximately the same time of blooming and ‘Nectarmagie’ ripens early in July. It was chosen as a genitor because of its high level of productivity and its very attractive fruits presentation, round-shaped, homogenous in size and very firm. Moreover, ‘Nectarmagie’ fruits have a semi-sweet and very aromatic taste, with a high level of sugar.

The new variety male parent, which is ‘Flatnice’ (non patented), produces, approximately in mid-July, white flat peaches with a good presentation but without a perfect closed pistil cavity. ‘Flatnice’ fruits have a semi-sweet, very aromatic flavour, with a high level of sugar. ‘Flatnice’ variety shows a high level of bloom, with an important fruit set. ‘Flatnice’ variety is more sensitive to frosty springtime weather than ‘CAKELOVE’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree, the following was observed on trees in their third growing season (second year of production) under the ecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the town of Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. All observations have been done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were ‘Inra GF 677’ (non-patented) trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large. The tree size the first year             was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during each             following dormant season to a height of approximately             250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to             80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next             years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm with current             season shoots length comprised. The tree size is             consistently reduced to 250 cm the next years. -   Spread: Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The whole     orchard was oriented to a central leader organization, with tree     lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0 meter in a same     tree line. As a result, tree spread was about 100 cm and the orchard     contained 2500 trees by hectare. -   Vigor: Considered vigorous. -   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,     and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. A reduce     vegetation, obtained with pruning or green pruning, approximately 1     month or 1 month ½ before harvesting flat fruits, significantly     promotes fruit qualities, especially growth, color and firmness.     Moreover, contamination risks due to monilia or rot are     significantly reduced. ‘CAKELOVE’ variety is not much sensitive to     cracking of pistil cavity, to cork formation into peduncle cavity or     to monilia. -   Bearer: Very regular. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 4 or more was     necessary for the tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every     year during the years of observation. -   Form: The ‘CAKELOVE’ variety has a naturally semi-spread to     semi-upright shape. -   Density: Considered dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under the central Pyrénées-Orientales     department typical climatic conditions. Experimentations on     different sites with winter chilling requirement comprised between     350 hours and 1200 hours showed a good behaviour of the tree in all     cases. Traditionally, flat fruits are more sensitive to critical low     temperatures and to climatic variations, because of the flower     morphology in which the ovule is less protected than in the     classical round fruits. Thus, areas not much exposed to frost are     recommended for peach trees growth. However ‘CAKELOVE’ trees seem to     be very resistant to critical frosty weather.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Approximately between 8.0 cm and 9.0 cm in diameter when     measured at a distance of approximately 20 cm above the soil level. -   Bark texture: Considered rough, with lenticels. -   Lenticels: Numerous lenticels are present, generally between 5 and 7     lenticels per cm². The lenticels range in size from approximately     3.0 millimeters to 6.0 millimeters in width, and from 1.5 to 2.0     millimeters in height. -   Lenticel color: The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey color     (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered brown (RHS Greyed     Orange 165 B to 165 C). -   Bark coloration: The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey 201 B to     201 C), slightly deeper than lenticel color.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Mature branches and current season shoots are considered     medium for the variety. Mature branches are pruned to a length of     about 50.0 centimeters. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. The     current season shoots have a diameter from 4.0 to 6.0 millimeters,     and mature branches have a diameter from 25.0 to 30.0 millimeters. -   Surface texture: Average, wood which is several years old has no     furrowed appearance. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable, but the     crotch angles are generally between 75 degrees and 90 degrees from     the horizontal axis. This particular characteristic is not     considered distinctive of the variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Generally 20.0 millimeters to 35.0 millimeters. -   Color of mature branches: Brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to 199 B). -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—The color of new shoot tips is considered a light             yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green 144 A to 144 B) on lower part             of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is colored brown             purple (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A) to red brown (RHS Greyed             Red 182 A), depending both on the position on shoots and the             sunlight exposure.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered large for the species. The ratio leaf length/leaf     width is 3.5. -   Leaf length: Approximately 140.0 to 202.0 millimeters with leaf     petiole. The medium length is 174.3 millimeters. -   Leaf width: Approximately 40.0 to 55.0 millimeters. The medium width     is 49.6 millimeters. -   Leaf base shape: Concave. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. -   Leaf tip form: Acuminate. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—Dark Green (RHS Green 139 A).         -   Lower surface.—A lighter green (RHS Green 137 B) than the             upper leaf surface color. -   Leaf texture: Smooth and glabrous. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light green, almost cream white (RHS Yellow Green 145             C to 145 D). -   Leaf margins: Slightly wavy, sinuate. -   Form: Considered slightly dentate. -   Uniformity: Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In this last     case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or two smaller     leaves (at least 50% smaller). -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium to short.         -   Length.—Between 5.0 and 9.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—About 1.5 millimeters. -   Petioles color:     -   -   Upper petiole surface.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS             Yellow Green 145 B to 145 C).         -   Lower surface.—Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow Green             145 B to 145 C). -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered small. Their length is about 1.0 millimeter             and their width is about 1.0 millimeter.         -   Number.—Generally 2 glands per leaf.         -   Type.—Round.         -   Color.—On young leaves, leaf gland color is considered a             light green (RHS Yellow Green 145 B). On older leaves, leaf             gland color turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to             199 B). -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Generally.—No leaf stipules were observed. But as seen in             the characteristic relative to the leaves uniformity, it is             possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or 3, with a             normal-size leaf and smaller ones.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—At pre-floral stage of development, the floral             buds are conic in form with a round tip. Their form is             evolving until blooming, with variable dimensions. Just             before blooming, floral buds are approximately 10.0             millimeters wide and approximately 18.0 millimeters long.         -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. At pre-floral stage of development, the bottom of             the flowers buds, formed by the sepals, is of purple-brown             color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to 183 B or Grey Brown 199             A); the corolla, formed by the petals, is generally of             medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B or 69 C). Petals             color shows an evolution until the end of blooming. -   Hardiness: The buds are considered hardy under typical central     Pyrénées-Orientales department climatic conditions. No winter injury     was noted during the last several years of evaluation in the central     Pyrénées-Orientales department, with winter temperatures as low as     −10 degrees Celsius in January. The current variety has not been     intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety     showed a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42     degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and 30     degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer. -   Date of bloom: Generally at the end of February or early in March.     The first bloom was observed on Mar. 3, 2003. -   Blooming time: Considered medium-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the     Pyrénées-Orientales department, France. The date of full bloom is     observed in March, at the middle of the blooming period. The date of     bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural     practices. Thus the first full bloom was observed on Mar. 3, 2003.     Last observed blooming times were Feb. 22, 2008, then Mar. 6, 2009,     then Mar. 16, 2010, then Feb. 27, 2011. -   Duration of bloom: Between 10 and 12 days. This characteristic     varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at full     bloom is approximately 32.0 to 40.0 millimeters. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant, approximately 45 flowers per     meter, with a good distribution and a high rate of fruit set. -   Flower bud frequency: Generally 2 flower buds appear per node,     occasionally 1. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large for the species. -   Length: Generally about 24.0 millimeters. -   Width: Generally about 23.0 millimeters. -   Petal form: Round-shaped. -   Petal count: Generally 5. -   Petal texture: Smooth and sweet. -   Petal color: Generally, both surfaces of petals are colored in a     medium Pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to 65 C) and slightly darker at the     end of flowering. -   Fragrance: Sweet. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered to have a truncated form.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 to 1.6 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.1 to 1.3 millimeters.         -   Color.—A darker pink than the petal color (RHS Red Purple N             66 C to N 66 D). -   Petal margins: Slightly wavy, sinuate. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally wide dome-shaped. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium to long and having an average             length of approximately 3.0 to 4.0 millimeters.         -   Diameter.—Considered average, approximately 2.0 millimeters.         -   Color.—A light brown (RHS Grey Brown N199 C to N199 D). -   Calyx:     -   -   Internal surface texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Generally, both surfaces of the calyx are colored in             a matt purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to 183 B) .             Nevertheless, the inner surface of the calyx may be in a             green yellow (RHS Yellow 13 A to 13 B or RHS Yellow Green             150 A to 150 B) color, whereas the outer surface of the             calyx is considered of Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A             to 183 B) color. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—Generally 5.         -   Surface texture.—The outer surface has a short, fine             pubescent texture.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—Approximately 7.0 millimeters.         -   Width.—Approximately 5.0 millimeters.         -   Form.—Ovate.         -   Color.—Generally, both surfaces of sepals are colored in a             matt purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to 183 B).             However, the upper surface of the sepals sometimes shows a             green yellow (RHS Yellow 13 A to 13 B or RHS Yellow Green             150 A to 150 B) color, whereas the lower surface of sepals             is considered of Purple-brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A to             183 B) color.         -   Margins.—Smooth.         -   Apex.—The apex is round-shaped to emarginated. -   Average number of stamens per flower: Approximately 40 stamens per     flower. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Medium in length.         -   Color.—Red to orange-yellow color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to             16 B). The color becomes brown (RHS Greyed Red 178 A) after             maturity. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color (RHS     Yellow Orange 17 B to 17 C) which may evolve with maturity. The     present variety is considered auto-fertile (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Medium length, between 10.0 and 18.0 millimeters in             length. Filaments length is generally equal to the pistil's             length, if not slightly longer. -   Color: Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple 62 C to     62 D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to 73 B). The color evolves during the     blooming. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Approximately 13.0 to 19.0 millimeters including the             ovary, which has a size of approximately 1.5 to 2.0             millimeters. Generally, pistil's length is equal to or             higher than filaments length, sometimes slightly smaller.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow Green 150 D             or RHS Yellow Green 151 D). The color evolves during the             blooming.         -   Surface texture.—Non pubescent.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Very firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of first picking: Aug. 14, 2003. -   Date of last picking: The date of harvest varies slightly with the     prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘CAKELOVE variety has a grouped     maturity. The maturity is grouped within 8 to 10 days and the     harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known picking times     begin Jul. 10, 2007; then Jul. 5, 2008; then Jul. 12, 2009; then     Jul. 19, 2010; then Jun. 30, 2011. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Homogeneous in size. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 70.0 to 80.0 millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 45.0 to 50.0 millimeters. -   Typical weight: Generally about 170.0 grams. This characteristic is     highly dependent upon the prevailing cultural practices, and     therefore is not particularly distinctive of the variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Oblate, with few bump. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's plane. -   Fruit suture: Semi-flared and slightly marked, extending from the     base to the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along     the suture line. Not pointed. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—The suture has generally a color similar to the whole             fruit color. The suture is completely colored with a             luminous purple red (RHS Red Purple 59 A or RHS Red Group 53             A to 53 B). -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Smooth. -   Apex: Slightly depressed. Very good closing of pistil cavity. -   Base: Semi-flared, shallow. -   Stem cavity: Average depth of the stem cavity is about 6.5     millimeters. Average width is about 13.0 millimeters. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered thick and strong, and the adherence of             skin to flesh is strong to medium, depending on the maturity             stage.         -   Texture.—Smooth, non pubescent.         -   Taste.—Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is a luminous purple red (RHS             Red Purple 59 A) on a red background (RHS Red Group 53 A to             53 B). The percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface             can vary, and is generally dependant upon the prevailing             conditions under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—The ground color of the fruit skin surface,             and is considered red (RHS Red Group 53 A to 53 B). -   Fruit stem: Medium in length, approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 4.0 millimeters. -   Color: Pale green (RHS Yellow Green N 144 C to 144 D). -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Very evenly, homogenously, slowly.         -   Texture.—Very firm, dense, crunchy, melting, juicy at             harvest maturity stage.         -   Fibers.—Not fibrous.         -   Aroma.—Pronounced.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good, with a high level of             sugars.         -   Flavor.—Considered semi-sweet and aromatic. The Brix is             generally superior to 13 degrees and acidity comprised             between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml.         -   Juice.—Very juicy at complete maturity.         -   Brix.—Generally superior to 13.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the surrounding             climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Greenish white or white flesh (RHS Yellow Green             150 D) with a slightly pink pigmentation (RHS Red Purple 61             C to 61 D) both under the skin of the upper side and into             the stone cavity.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone to Semi-Clingstone depending on the fruit maturity. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Approximately 24.0 to 25.0 millimeters. -   Width: Approximately 19.0 millimeters. -   Diameter: Approximately 16.0 millimeters. -   Form: Oblate. -   Base: Oblate. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex is oblate, with a slight edge. -   Stone cavity: Considered medium size, oblate-shaped, and dimensions     corresponding to the stone's dimensions. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is transversely furrowed on its             entire surface. Furrows are shallow with a dorsal groove and             a triple ventral groove.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered small to medium, and having a dimension of             approximately 2.0 millimeters at mid-suture. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Grooved, generally with 3 grooves. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered     purple brown (RHS Greyed Purple 183 C to 183 D) with some areas     considered red (RHS Greyed Red 174 C to 174 D). -   Tendency to split: Splitting is absent, depending on climatic     conditions between blooming period and stone hardening. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel size is considered small.         -   Form.—Considered round and oblate, sometimes double.         -   Pellicle.—Slightly Pubescent.         -   Color.—The kernel skin is an orange brown (RHS Greyed Orange             164 A or RHS Greyed Orange 166 C). The almond, which is the             seed of the kernel, is cream-white (RHS Orange White 159 D).             The kernel and its embryo are mature at the time of fruit             maturity. -   Use: The subject variety ‘CAKELOVE is considered to be a white flat     nectarine tree with a mid-season maturity, and which produces fruits     that are considered firm, attractively and luminously colored.     Fruits have a semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked     consumption, crunchy or melting and juicy when at full maturity.     Fruits have excellent gustative qualities. In particular, ‘CAKELOVE’     fruits are very easy to eat, with their doughnut shape. Moreover,     the non pointed stone shape is reassuring, especially for parents,     and thus, there is no need to cut the fruit before eating. Due to     their flesh quality, firmness and density, they can also be     commercialized as 4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in     bags for example). And they are also useful for both local and very     long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Remarkable. Fruits have a slow maturation and a     long shelf life both on the tree after growth completion and after     harvesting without alteration. After harvest, fruits are well     preserved more than 3 weeks at 2.0 degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered very good. The fruit of the new white     flat nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin     damage after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing     procedures. Its resistance to handling during harvest and packing     and its long shelf life without alteration after harvest easily     permit at least 3 weeks-shipping at 2 degrees Celsius. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety is not very sensitive to powdery     mildew, or conservation diseases and decay due to its thick and     strong skin.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales department, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white flat nectarine tree as illustrated and described, characterized by flat fruits of very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, and with a semi-sweet white flesh of high eating quality, with a slightly pink pigmentation, and an attractive luminous purple red blush, with a red background. 